FOREIGN INVESTMENTS SUMIPA SA FIRST SEM NG 2018

TUMAAS ng 165 percent ang foreign direct investments (FDIs) sa first semester ng taon, na nag-ambag sa 27 percent increase sa pangkalahatang inaprubahang investments para sa naturang panahon.

Ayon kay Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Secretary at Board of Investments (BOI) Chairman Ramon Lopez, ang FDIs na inaprubahan ng ahensiya ay sumipa sa P14.5 billion mula sa P5.5 billion lamang na naitala sa kahalintulad na panahon noong nakaraang taon.

Ang paglago sa FDIs ay nakatulong sa overall increase sa BOI approvals kung saan ang investment projects na inaprubahan ng ahensiya ay umabot sa P238.9 billion sa first semester ng 2018, mas mataas ng 27.1 percent sa P188 billion na nairehistro sa kaparehong panahon noong 2017.

Sa mga bansa, ang Indonesia ang nanguna sa mga foreign investor na may P6.4 billion, sumusunod ang Japan na may P2.6 billion, China na may P880 million, United States (P582 million) at Italy (P486 million).

“The impressive investment registrations with the BOI is a concrete proof of the continued confidence of both foreign and local investors in the country,” wika ni Lopez.

“The strategic nature of investments registered with BOI and the strong confidence of investors is very much linked to the administration’s policies which are independent and pragmatic, but principled in addressing the critical social problems and bottlenecks to industry competitiveness such as infrastructure and power,” dagdag pa niya.

“The Philippine economy will continue to grow and create investment opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, and services. With this growth, we intend to have more inclusive businesses and ensure that economic gains are spread throughout the country.”

Binigyang-diin naman ni Trade Undersecretary at BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo na ang bilang ng BOI investments ay isang mahalagang lead indicator para sa pangkalahatang paglago ng FDIs.

Tinukoy niya ang FDI figures na ipinalabas ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) na nagpakita ng 40 porsiyentong pagtaas sa first quarter ng taon.

Ayon kay Undersecretary Rodolfo, nasa tamang direksiyon pa rin ang ahensiya para matamo ang target nito na P680 billion para sa 2018, na mas mataas ng 10 percent sa P617 billion noong nakaraang taon.

“We expect big ticket projects to come in by the second half of the year. Foreign and domestic investors remain optimistic especially in view of the government’s Build, Build, Build and Manufacturing Resurgence Programs,“ aniya.